Graeme McDowell returns from the longest break of his professional life today
determined to launch himself back into the world’s top five.

The Northern Irishman tees it up in the first round of the Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles having not played since winning Tiger Woods’s World Challenge tournament 10 weeks ago, as he attempted to "recharge, refocus and reset".

McDowell has been far from idle, however. In his time off, he moved into a new house in Orlando with his fiancé, Kristin Stape, and opened a bar in his adopted Florida hometown. But still he was not able to switch off completely from competition.

"Since January I’ve definitely had the itch to play," the 33-year-old said. "I’ve failed resisting the temptation to turn on the TV and check what the boys are up to. My game is feeling good. I’m fresh in body and in mind and am ready to hit the road."

Indeed, the road stretches out in front of McDowell like a seemingly endless freeway. With the European Tour beginning its own version of the play-offs in October, he will end his American season earlier than usual. "I’m probably going to have to play 15 PGA Tour events between February and September, as opposed to 15 between January and October. We have a lot of quality events around the world with golf as healthy as it is, but it makes it pretty difficult for a two-tour guy like me. It’s a lot of golf."

McDowell sees danger in overexertion. "I love the sport. I love to play. But too much a good thing ... well, you start going through the motions. I don’t want to be like that. I want to get my excitement level up for the game. I want to have that ‘buzziness’."

The reason why is simple. "My goal over the next few years is to get back into the world’s top five," said McDowell, who enjoyed his time in that elite group in his annus mirablis of 2010, in which he won four times, including the US Open. "I want to return to those heights after a couple of frustrating seasons."

The revered layout at Riviera should suit, with the emphasis squarely on ball control rather than length. It should also fall into the cultured hands of McDowell’s playing partner, Luke Donald. The world No 3 is making his seasonal bow as well in a high-quality field including Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Lee Westwood.